5 Summer Jewelry Trends That Work From The Beach To Happy Hour
Scroll To See More Images
Even though I didn’t get dressed up much last summer, I kept my jewelry game strong even when pairing pieces with PJs and sweatsuits. A full year later, though, my accessories need a major refresh now that I’m out and about again—so I’m turning to Mejuri’s latest drops for clues on the top summer jewelry trends worth shopping.
Luckily, this season’s top looks are all elevated takes on the usual classics. Those dainty gold chains you’ve been loving are still a thing, but consider adding a few statement styles to the mix for prime layering opportunities. For the ears, we’re alllllll about a good hoop moment, but ditch your go-to pair and shop ones with a little more flair.
Oh, speaking of flair—lets get glitzy this summer! Diamonds are in for a super-sparkly accessory upgrade, and Mejuri’s dainty diamond pieces prove you don’t have to break the bank to get the look. Same goes for shopping 14-karat gold; yes, it’s pricier than gold vermeil, but when a couple hundred bucks gets you a piece that will last forever, how can you possibly pass it up?
Last but not least, I’m calling it now: Anklets are the new bracelets. Apologize to your wrists and develop a foot fetish, because anklets are 100 percent the number one piece you need in your summer jewelry collection.
Ready to flex? Read on for summer’s five hottest jewelry trends and check out Mejuri’s Summer Edit on their website now.
Our mission at STYLECASTER is to bring style to the people, and we only feature products we think you’ll love as much as we do. Mejuri is a STYLECASTER sponsor, however, all products in this article were independently selected by our editors. Please note that if you purchase something by clicking on a link within this story, we may receive a small commission of the sale.
Leg Day
Skip the arm party and focus on anklets instead of bracelets this season. Mejuri’s Boyfriend pieces are iconic, so of course the Boyfriend Bold Chain Anklet in 14k yellow gold should be your first buy.
Bling Ring
Why dull your sparkle? Diamonds are trending in a big way, and you don’t need an engagement ring to rock ’em on your fingers! Dainty pieces like the Diamonds Line Ring in 14k yellow gold are perfect for daily wear.
Hoop Troupe
Hoop earrings will always be in style, but for summer 2021, the more unique the better. Skip a rounded silhouette for these cool Medium Flat Hoops in 14k yellow gold. The look is still luxe, but slightly more 2D.
No Chain-ge
There’s no change to the year’s gold chain trend, but why not get one with a little extra je ne sais quoi to layer with your staples? The Anchor Chin Necklace in 14k yellow gold has unique links meant to resemble the chain of a ship’s anchor, so it’s a necklace and a conversation piece.
Gold Standard
Last but not least, let’s lean in to 14k gold this season for all our buys. I’m a massive fan of Mejuri’s durable gold vermeil, but the real deal is best in summer when you’re constantly swimming and sweating. Invest in classic pieces like these Oversized Thin Hoops and your under-$300 purchase will last a literal lifetime.
Billie Eilish Wore $65 Mejuri Pearls That Are In Stock
Style
What Does It Mean That Carrie Bradshaw Is Wearing Her Flower Pin …
Over the weekend, the cast of the Sex And The City reboot, And Just Like That, was spotted in full fashion form at the Manhattan School of Music in Morning
20 best affordable jewlery brands of 2021
CNN —
It’s impossible to deny the impact of great jewelry on an outfit — the right pieces will elevate your look for sure. However, for most of us, fine jewelry and casual jewelry are two completely different categories. The fine jewelry pieces you covet only make their way out of your jewelry box on special occasions, while the more casual pieces are suitable for everyday wear.
To help make your shopping easier, we spent weeks researching and testing out various jewelry pieces from brands that offer beautiful pieces at budget-friendly prices in the hopes to find some new accessory staples. Whether you’re looking for trending necklaces, sleek earrings or a new watch, keep reading to check out our favorite affordable jewelry brands we’re obsessed with. Keep in mind too that “affordable” means different things for everyone, so we’ve kept this list to brands that have great picks for $250 or less.
Catbird Catbird Gumball Pearl Ring
If you ask fashion insiders (or even Meghan Markle!) where they shop for jewelry, they’ll probably mention Catbird — a Brooklyn-based jewelry brand that creates minimalist pieces that top our accessory wish lists. We can’t get over the Gumball Pearl Ring ($158; catbirdnyc.com) that’s voluminous yet simplistic. If you’re in New York City, the brand also offers a welding service to get one of its dainty Forever bracelets zapped to your wrist so that you can literally wear it forever.
Mejuri Mejuri Dôme Cuff Bracelet
At this point, Mejuri surely needs no introduction since it’s practically synonymous with cool-girl jewelry that won’t break the bank. The brand specializes in fine jewelry for everyday, as shown through its amazing collection of accessory staples and wedding pieces for both men and women. If you’re on a budget, look for some of the brand’s vermeil pieces that are made with a thick layer of 18-karat solid gold on sterling silver, like this Dôme Cuff Bracelet ($125; mejuri.com).
Fortune & Frame Fortune & Frame Flowered Vines Fortune Locket
As the name suggests, Fortune & Frame creates accessories to hold your fortunes, love notes and messages you want to hold close. But don’t think of classic lockets of your youth because the brand has seriously reimagined how unique a locket can be by giving it a modern twist. One of our most loved pieces is the Flowered Vines Fortune Locket ($78; fortuneandframe.com) that gives you a peak of your message through a glass window against the glistening vines.
Aurate Aurate Modern Cigar Band
Aurate was founded to deliver jewelry that lives up to everyone’s high standards, which means not only beautiful pieces but ones that take durability, transparency and sustainability into consideration. We’ve long been fans of the brand, but lately we’ve had our eyes on the Modern Cigar Band ($80; auratenewyork.com) that’s available in yellow, white or rose gold to add the perfect classic ring to your collection.
Amyo Amyo Baguette Huggie Earrings
Looking for modern and timeless jewelry from a woman- and Asian-owned business? You need to head toward Amyo jewelry quickly, then — a brand that believes accessories make your outfit. The brand has an assortment of timeless, staple accessories that will pair well with anything, like the Baguette Huggie Earrings ($45; amyojewelry.com). These huggies feature baguette and pave crystals for a unique earring that delivers just the right amount of sparkle.
Please Repeat Please Repeat Burst Cigar Band Ring
Please Repeat wants to celebrate freedom of expression through its 14-karat gold vermeil and sterling silver jewelry. The brand, which launched earlier this year, offers beautifully designed pieces that start at only $20. If we were stranded on a desert island and could only have one piece, it would be the Burst Cigar Band Ring ($89; pleaserepeat.com) that’s inspired by rays of light. The thick cigar band will make this stand out on any finger or stacked with other rings you want to pair it with.
Vanna Vanna Umbra Emerald
We seriously did not know how gorgeous watches could be until we discovered Vanna, a Los Angeles-based woman-owned brand that creates the most luxe pieces meant to represent the modern female. The brand consists of six collections, but Umbra is one of our favorites, including the Umbra Emerald ($175; vann.la) that features a square case and emerald green sunray dial against a striking gold-plated or stainless steel bracelet.
Missoma Missoma Coterie Chain Necklace
Missoma, a brand that champions self-experssion through its collection of demi-fine jewelry pieces, has become one of our go-to brands for jewelery we’d happily plan full outfits around. In fact, we haven’t stopped wearing the Coterie Chain Necklace ($245; missoma.com) since we received it — a stunning gold-plated chain necklace that’s unique due to the combination of plain and twisted links.
Humans Before Handles Humans Before Handles Kinsley Moon & Starburst Earrings
Ashley Sims founded Humans Before Handles to create a jewelry marketplace for that person who won’t “leave the house without the perfect statement earring” and to celebrate each person’s authenticity. We love shopping this woman-, Black-owned business when we’re on the hunt for jewelry pieces that will make us smile and turn heads. Like how cool are the Kinsley Moon & Starburst Earrings ($45; humansbeforehandles.com) that’ll remind us to dream big on each wear.
Bryan Anthonys Bryan Anthonys Through Thick & Thin Necklace Set
Bryan Anthonys, a brand named after co-founder Amber Glassman’s late brother, was created to empower people to make the most of their lives under the idea that time shouldn’t be taken for granted. The brand carries a selection of thoughtful jewelry pieces that feature powerful prompts, each written by Glassman, meant to inspire you or deliver whatever message you need. We’d love to get the Through Thick & Thin Necklace Set ($60; bryananthonys.com) to wear with our BFF and celebrate our ride-or-die friendships.
Studs Studs Dinosaur Huggie
Let Studs be your one-stop shop for earrings — from huggies to hoops and dangles to literal studs. The brand sells an assortment of simple and fun earrings that you’ll never want to take out. And because Studs only carries ear accessories, you’re sure to find the perfect piece for you. If you’re feeling jovial, grab the Dinosaur Huggie ($26 for a single, $52 for a pair; studs.com) that’ll help bring out your inner child and show that jewelry doesn’t have to be too serious.
Jennifer Zeuner Jennifer Zeuner Marta Necklace
Jewelry by Jennifer Zeuner’s eponymous label is “simple with a spiritual twist” — a reflection of her personal style. And because the pieces are made with simplicity in mind, each item can easily be layered with other pieces already in your jewelry box. The Marta Necklace ($220; shopbop.com) is one of our favorites because it’s a timeless accessory that will suit any outfit, any occasion and any person.
8 Other Reasons 8 Other Reasons Golden Goddess
We’ve known about 8 Other Reasons for years, but for some reason we’re only recently trying it out. Embracing the essence of your true self, unapologetically, is at the heart of the brand, which is shown through the dazzling statement jewelry pieces like the Golden Goddess ($40; 8otherreasons.com). This set includes a 14-karat gold-plated ring and bracelet, each with glass stone accents reminiscent of a glistening tennis bracelet and jaw-dropping ring.
Rocksbox Rocksbox Slate Huxley Huggies
You might remember Rocksbox as the brand that revolutionized the jewelry rental subscription industry through its assortment of high-quality, trending pieces that can be shipped right to your door. To this day, the service is one of our favorite ways to shop for jewelry — especially if we aren’t sure which styles will suit our tastes or mesh well with other pieces in our collection. Right now we’re loving the Slate Huxley Huggies ($38 for members, originally $45; rocksbox.com), Rudiment Baker Ring ($55 for members, originally $65; rocksbox.com) and Aster Posy Toggle Necklace ($51 for members, originally $60; rocksbox.com), but we can’t wait to check out three new items next month. Use our exclusive code CNN1 for a free one-month trial to try the service for yourself.
Rellery Rellery Pearl Choker Necklace
Rellery is all about jewelry “made with meaning” — essentially that the jewelry you wear is a reflection of you and should speak to you. Keep that in mind when you’re shopping the brand’s collection of ethically made pieces without the markup. Our top picks were the Pearl Choker Necklace ($119; rellery.com) and the Aquarius Zodiac Signet Ring ($85; rellery.com), both of which are trendy with a classic touch.
Van Der Hout Van Der Hout Diamond Evil Eye Stud Earring
Karen Van Der Hout started her jewelry brand to deliver solid gold, genuine gemstone designs that will help reflect your mood — under the belief that jewelry should be personal. Out of all the pieces, we think you should ditch your basic studs for the Diamond Evil Eye Stud Earring ($180 for a single earring, $320 for a pair of earrings; vanderhoutjewelry.us) to ward off any bad vibes. We’ve been wearing them nonstop and don’t see that changing anytime soon.
Miranda Frye Miranda Frye Brooklyn Necklace
Miranda Frye started her eponymous jewelry brand to help every person feel confident and stylish when sporting the affordable collections. We’d particularly recommend the Brooklyn Necklace ($104; revovle.com) that’s inspired by the classic Cuban link. A chunky chain necklace like this one is great if you’re looking to wear one necklace rather than stack.
Made By Mary Made By Mary Laurel Ring
Your jewelry box isn’t complete without a couple picks from Made by Mary, a brand that hopes to use jewelry to remind you of your most treasured memories and milestones. Of the brand’s handcrafted pieces, we are most obsessed with the Laurel Ring ($42; madebymary.com) and the Hera Chain Necklace ($68; madebymary.com) — two striking pieces of jewelry that are each under $100.
Brilliant Earth Brilliant Earth Premium Akoya Cultured Pearl Pendant
Although Brilliant Earth is known for its expansive assortment of fine jewelry, particularly if you’re in the market for an engagement ring, the brand also features a great selection of pieces under $250. Treat yourself to a bit of luxury with a piece from the collection, like the Premium Akoya Cultured Pearl Pendant ($125; brilliantearth.com) that’s generated a near 5-star rating and will never go out of style.
Baublebar Baublebar Bennett Necklace
BaubleBar is an OG in the world of affordable jewelry brands. For years, we’ve been drawn to the brand for its assortment of fun, vibrant and colorful pieces, like the Bennett Necklace ($68; baublebar.com) with the multicolored glass stones that’s chic yet playful. The brand considers itself “the ultimate playground” for trending jewelry and accessories, so you’re sure to spot a couple other items to add to cart.